Having recently converted from a proud New Yorker to a proud New Englander (the NY Giants still rule at the Caddells’), one thing I have become unbelievably grateful for is my local grocery store. For anyone from New England, it goes without saying: The Market Basket is where it’s at in terms of groceries.
Good deals, friendly service, spacious aisles, so many different flavors of seltzer…the list goes on. It has been one of many upgrades in my life since relocating out of the city.
Well, my friends, things are not well at the grocery store.
For those of you not in the know about what’s happening at the Market Basket, allow me to enlighten you. From my understanding of the situation, two cousins owned the chain of these grocery stores together, and they were not big fans of each other. One cousin got more power and kicked the other cousin out.
And since then, everything fell apart.
The staff is outraged. Apparently the guy who was fired treated them really well and was deeply loved. People are boycotting. Employees are not showing up to work, and letting go of jobs that have been theirs for 35 years. People are picketing outside the Market Basket at all hours, and there is going to be an enormous rally happening in the next few days to continue the protest.
And the store is barren. When I finally felt like making myself a green smoothie a few days ago, there was no spinach. And let’s be honest, Kale doesn’t cut it.
Why all this from a relationship expert for entrepreneurs?
Because, as one of the man’s signs read in magic marker,
Blood makes us related.
Loyalty makes us family.
And I was reminded of the power of loyalty.
Loyalty is one of the most important qualities you can foster as a business owner.
And obviously, it is key in your romantic relationship as well.
This man, Arthur T., was dismissed from the company, but was so clearly loyal and supportive of his staff, that his loyalty is being mirrored back in spades. The bustling Market Basket is empty, staff are not showing up, truck drivers won’t get behind the wheel, and even my own mother who has been shopping there for well over thirty years is going to have to buy her grapefruits elsewhere.
This stress on the Market Basket is either going to lead to its demise, or to the return of Arthur T. and all he stood for to the company. And what happens from there is yet to be seen.
Relationships cause revolutions.
A united group of people, throughout history, bonded by the shared emotional significance of something they are committed to, coupled with loyalty to their cause and to each other, has led to revolutions. And a tiny revolution is happening today at the Market Basket.
As a business owner, a significant other, a friend, a parent, a sister or brother or any person in a relationship of any kind:
Remember to be loyal.
Loyalty reaffirms the significance of the relationship that we have with someone.
And we are only as strong as our relationships.
Do not take your relationships for granted and handle them with care.
I’ll be getting my groceries elsewhere, even if it means higher prices and less interesting seltzer flavors.
Let me know what you think about loyalty and how it has impacted your life in the comments below.
Oh, and New Englanders, if I’ve gotten anything about the Market Basket story wrong, please enlighten me!
Cheers to strong and loyal connections,
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